Footwear securement system

Abstract

A footwear securement system employs a plurality of elastic, stretchable elongated tubes, each of which extend through opposed corresponding openings of the footwear. Retainers are slidably receivable on the tubes and releasably engageable against opposed sides of the footwear so as to secure the footwear to a wearer. The retainers are preferably lock washers. One end of each of the tubes is preferably tapered.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A securement system for a shoe having spaced sides with opposed rows of corresponding openings comprising:
 at least one elongated tube having opposed ends with one end being tapered; 
 said at least one tube extending through a pair of corresponding openings with opposed free ends extending generally outwardly beyond said openings; 
 a first retainer received on said tube proximate one end and being generally fixed at a first position on said tube; 
 a second retainer received on said tube and slidably positionable to a second generally fixed releasable position, 
 wherein said first and second retainers may be selectively spaced at fixed positions against said sides to secure said shoe on a wearer. 
 
     
     
       2. The securement system of  claim 1  wherein said elongated tube is composed of an elastic flexible or semi-flexible material. 
     
     
       3. The securement system of  claim 1  wherein said second retainer is a lock washer. 
     
     
       4. The securement system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second retainers are each lock washers. 
     
     
       5. The securement system of  claim 1  wherein each said tube has substantially the same length. 
     
     
       6. The securement system of  claim 1  wherein said retainers are substantially identical. 
     
     
       7. The securement system of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of tubes which form a lattice. 
     
     
       8. A securement system for footwear wherein said footwear has a tongue and a pair of opposed sides adjacent said tongue with said sides each having a plurality of openings, comprising:
 a plurality of elongated tubes each having opposed ends; 
 each said tube extending through an opening on each said side with opposed free ends extending generally outwardly beyond said sides; 
 a first retainer received on each said tube proximate one end and being generally fixed at a first position on said tube engaging a side portion adjacent said opening; 
 a second retainer received on each said tube and slidably positionable to a second generally fixed releasable position adjacent an opening in an opposed side; 
 wherein said first and second retainers are selectively spaced at outwardly fixed positions against said opposed sides to secure said footwear on a wearer. 
 
     
     
       9. The securement system of  claim 8  wherein said elongated tube is longitudinally stretchable and has a resilient elastic composition. 
     
     
       10. The securement system of  claim 9  wherein said tubes each have a tapered portion adjacent one end. 
     
     
       11. The securement system of  claim 8  wherein said first and second retainers are substantially identical lock washers having retention teeth which are dimensioned to lockably engage the tube. 
     
     
       12. The securement system for footwear wherein said footwear has a pair of opposed sides wherein each side defines a row of openings comprising:
 a plurality of elongated members of substantially uniform diameter and longitudinally and radially elastically deformable with opposed ends extending outwardly through an opening on each said side; 
 a lock washer slidably received on each said member proximate one end and being generally fixed at a first outward position on said member engaging a portion of said side adjacent said opening; 
 a second lock washer received on each said member and slidably positionable to a second generally fixed releasable position adjacent an opening of an opposed side and engaging a side portion adjacent said opening; 
 wherein said first and second retainers are selectively spaceable at fixed outward positions against said opposed sides to secure said footwear on a wearer. 
 
     
     
       13. The securement system of  claim 12  wherein each said elongated member is formed from segments of a latex medical tubing. 
     
     
       14. The securement system of  claim 12  wherein said members each have a tapered portion adjacent one end. 
     
     
       15. The securement system of  claim 12  wherein said first and second lock washers are substantially identical and are dimensioned to slightly engage against the exterior surface of each said elongated member.